Legend tells us that when the Earth began, an evil goddess called Tzintzimitl ruled the skies. During that time, the evil Tzintzimitl stole the light from the Aztecs and left Earth in darkness.

Tired of this, Quetzalcoatl, feathered snake god, ascended to the sky to fight the evil goddess, but instead found love. During his search, Quetzalcoatl found Tzintzimitl’s granddaughter—Mayahuel, the goddess of fertility.

Quetzalcoatl brought Mayahuel to live with him on Earth, but the evil goddess was extremely mad and descended to Earth to search for them.To hide from the evil goddess, the lovers became two trees—one beside the other one—so that when the winds blew, their leaves could caress one another.

With her light devouring stars, the evil Tzintzimitl finally found the two lovers and killed Mayahuel. The devastated Quetzalcoatl buried the remains of his lover and avenged her death by killing the evil goddess.

The hero had returned light to Earth, but his sadness could not be overcome. Every night, he would visit his loved one on her grave and cry.

Seeing this, the other gods decided to place in the ground a special plant that would give Quetzalcoatl comfort. From then on, the lover would drink his elixir that came from the plant—the agave—and have the comfort he sought.

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With its history and tradition, tequila is a Mexican fine art. This golden liquid so sought after by tourists and locals alike is a time-honored tradition so precious that, just like France and its Champagne region, the Mexican government has set high quality standards for its tequila production and exportation.

THE REAL TEQUILA

To ensure it is actual tequila, it must come from Mexico. No exceptions. The only regions of Mexico in which tequila can be produced are Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. In 2006 UNESCO recognized the agave landscape and ancient industrial tequila facilities of western Mexico as a world heritage site.

For tequila to be authentic, its label must read, NOM, Norma Oficial Mexicana, or the Official Mexican Standard. NOM is employed by the Mexican government to regulate standards of the drink. NOM assigns a number to each tequila producer and this producer must print its number on every label.

The letters CRT must also be found on a tequila label. These three letters make certain that the tequila has been manufactured under the supervision of the Tequila Regulation Council.

Real tequila must be made from the Blue Agave Weber, a specific variety of agave plant. The label must say 100% de agave, literally translating to 100% of agave.

Without the acronyms of NOM, CRT, a producer number and the phrase 100% de agave, it is just not tequila.

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BLANCO, JOVEN, REPOSADO, AÑEJO

Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo are all are types of tequila. Each are granted different flavors based on aging length and the type of barrels in which they are stored. Barrels used to store tequila are made of French or American white oak, and the degree of barrel charring or no charring at all contributes to the various flavors to tequilas.

Blanco, clear in color, contains all the nature flavors of the agave and its sugar thus making it popular among tequila connoisseurs.

Joven tequila, a derivative of Blanco, consists of burnt sugar to give it a smoother flavor.

Reposado, the most popular type of tequila, is aged in barrels no more than two months; it is woody in color and is slightly smoother than the Blanco and Joven.

Añejo is aged at least one year and, due to its superior quality and taste, it comes highly recommend for first time drinkers.

Extra Añejo, aged between 3 and 5 years, consists of one or several flavors of wood, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel and rose petals.

Multifaceted and flavorful rich in history, tequila will continue to be a Mexican tradition you won’t want to miss.

Trying to explain the unexplainable is best left to experience, and the SenseAdventure experience at Tres Ríos Nature Park speaks for itself.

Walking gingerly along a path in the nature park’s tropical rainforest, this brief journey heightens the senses. Primarily, four of a person’s five senses are enhanced because before the journey begins, visitors are blindfolded.

Holding the waist or shoulders of the person in front of them, a small group of guests is guided by a holistic specialist using verbal and sometimes tactile instructions.

Mindful and moving, this journey is nothing less than inspirational. The SenseAdventure nature park activity is a delightful hour of sweet surprises and is exclusive to guests of Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa & Nature Park.

Conceived as a temporary escape from the routine preoccupations of daily life, this journey is a unique way to unwind and experience nature.

SenseAdventure Tour at Hacienda Tres Rios Resort from HaciendaTresRios on Vimeo.

As blindfolded guests venture through a cleared jungle path, pausing at various intervals for sensory demonstrations along the way, their sense of hearing, smell, touch, and taste are awakened.

Any apprehension that guests may initially have from not being able to use their sense of sight is reduced as they become increasingly fascinated by each unanticipated discovery.

Moment by moment, guests’ enhanced awareness of the environment draws them into an intriguing exploration of nature.

Part of the magic of the SenseAdventure journey is the mystery that comes from not knowing what to expect. This anticipation generates curiosity and stimulates the senses, which make the experience all the more captivating.

Although there are many awe-inspiring attractions at Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa & Nature Park, this one nears the top of the list.

For more photos:

In a world with more than 6.8 billion people, 195 countries, and a world wide web, the list of options from orange juice to travel destinations is endless, including your next all-inclusive vacation in the Riviera Maya. To help with your research and narrow down your choices, we would like to provide you with a few tips on how to sort through the options and pick the right all-inclusive plan for you.

Our Top 5 Suggestions: How To Choose Your Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort

1. Resort Reviews

Websites such as TripAdvisor and even social networks such as Facebook can provide you with first-hand descriptions and resort reviews from people who have visited the places you want to see. Reading a variety of reviews from sources outside the hotel website helps give you a clearer picture of what to expect. About.com travel guides suggest considering a resort when the review has more than 20 ratings and an average of 3.5 or higher -out of 5.

2. All-inclusive Vacations

Knowing exactly what is included in your all-inclusive vacation is important. You will need to know what is available and what services are included to plan accordingly. Choosing a resort in the Riviera Maya, for example, that includes all your food, drinks, accommodations, tax, tips, and activities will let you plan ahead and allow you to simply kick-back and relax when you get to your destination.

3. Near the Resort

Consider the surrounding areas of the resort of your choice. Since you’ll be traveling to another country, you might want to enjoy a few tours and attractions in the area. The proximity of your all-inclusive resort to the most visited destinations around the area can be the added advantage to your vacation. Even if the resort you choose has plenty of activities, being able to visit Mayan ruins, shopping centers or nightclub options is a major advantage.

4. Vacation Packages

In this competitive world, all resorts and hotels are continuously working to improve, making a visitor’s choice that much more difficult. To help you make your decision, consider reviewing the available packages on the resort’s website and examine what the travel industry calls “the added value” in things such as free airport transportation or family vacation packages where kids stay free.

5. Accreditations & Awards

To help make your final choice and click that “book now” button, see what the experts are saying about your resort. Visit the resort’s web pages to find accreditations, associations and awards. Things such as being chosen Traveler’s Choice Winner or being associated with certain organizations can distinguish one resort from all the others. For something truly unique, consider visiting an all-inclusive resort with a little something extra, like being in the middle of the jungle or stay at a green resort.

Whenever you feel a resort is the right fit for you, book your all-inclusive vacation and start packing for your trip.

Regardless of your vacation destination, shopping for souvenirs is a vital part of any holiday. From handicrafts to artifacts, many tourists look for a memento that will evoke great memories of their vacation experience. You can find a wide variety of souvenirs from every state of Mexico while shopping in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
We have prepared a list of suggested Mexican souvenirs to purchase on your next vacation.
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For most Americans and Canadians, if snow, ice, slush, and freezing temperatures haven’t already arrived, they are just around the corner and most likely, for quite a while!

Winter weather will undoubtedly have you itching for a getaway, and there’s no better time to start planning your vacation than now!  Cut your winter short and opt for a complete change of scenery this holiday season.  After a warm, relaxing vacation, you can return home with your batteries recharged, ready to face winter again.

Here’s why a trip to the Riviera Maya this holiday season is a good idea.

Escape the cold weather.

You probably remember last winter as if it was yesterday: mostly gloomy skies, temperatures below 14° Fahrenheit (-10° Celsius), and even the coldest sunny days.  And let’s not forget frostbite on your hands and feet!

You could tough it out this winter and endure three to six months of freezing temperatures or… You could avoid the winter blues and head south to the Riviera Maya, Mexico, one of the most spectacular tourist places in the world, where the daytime temperature never goes below 70° Fahrenheit (21° Celsius).

Picture yourself surrounded by swaying palm trees and beautiful scenery, lush green jungles, sunshine, and the warm, tranquil Caribbean Sea.  The only thing frozen will be your margarita!

Break away from your routine.

The winter holiday season is one of the best seasons of the year.  It’s a great time to reunite with family and friends.  It’s also the time when most people choose to stay indoors, not because they want to, but because it’s too cold to do anything outside.

Take a vacation where you don’t have to worry about weather conditions, and where you can enjoy outdoor activities anytime of the day or night.  The Riviera Maya is the kind of vacation spot where you can relax on white sand beaches or be active by snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and more.

Nightlife options range from a peaceful walk on a secluded beach to a night of dancing, drinking and excess at a fashionable nightclub in nearby Playa del Carmen.

Get the best hotel deals and vacation packages.

A great way to take advantage of the best winter vacation packages is if you book your trip in advance.  Thousands of people want to travel in the colder season, so making your travel plans in advance can result in confirming a reservation during your preferred time frame.

January through May is the perfect time of year to visit the Mexico Caribbean, since rain is less common and temperatures are very comfortable during these months.

You don’t need an excuse to travel during the winter.  You’ve worked hard long enough, and you deserve it!